Why SharePoint Lists Just Retired Excel

Still Using Excel for Approvals, Invoices or Overtime?

If you’re managing key business processes in Excel—like holiday approvals, invoice tracking, or overtime requests, you’re likely:

• Missing critical information
• Wasting valuable time
• Relying on outdated workflows

There’s a better way. Let us introduce you to SharePoint Lists.

What Are SharePoint Lists?

Think of SharePoint Lists as online tables, similar to Excel, but hosted in your Microsoft 365 SharePoint site. They are:

• Collaborative: Your whole team can access and update in real time
• Automated: Easily trigger notifications and approvals with Power Automate
• Secure: Control who sees and edits what
• Integrated: Seamlessly connect with Teams, Power BI, and other M365 tools

If you’re familiar with Excel, you’ll feel right at home, but with far more power under the hood.

Real-World Example: Overtime Requests

One client was managing overtime using a mix of email and Excel. The result?

• Blind approvals
• Delayed payments
• Frustrated staff

By switching to SharePoint Lists, they gained visibility, control, and automation-cutting admin time and improving accuracy.

When to Use Excel vs SharePoint Lists

Use Case Best Tool

Data analysis Excel

Process management SharePoint Lists

Approvals & tracking SharePoint Lists

Financial modelling Excel

Excel is still brilliant for number crunching. But for managing workflows, SharePoint Lists are the smarter, more modern choice.

📺 Watch below or YouTube directly here: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml4JcX-9oTQ&t=30s